This week we’re going back to my WIP, Ice Queen. Please excuse any mistakes or errors you find. If you recall, they met up in a seedy bar in the middle of Wyoming and now Justin is taking Jessica to his secret hideout.

No matter how many times he traveled this route the beauty of the changing landscape always seemed to amaze him. This time of year, spring as it slowly drifted into summer, was Justin’s favorite. Almost daily the colors of the flowers would change, as they brought new life into the area.

He glanced over his shoulder. “So isn’t this beautiful country.” He stopped when he came close to using her real name.

Silence, except for the clop of horses hooves filled the space between them. He suspected she was calculating the perfect response.

“Yes. I can see why you live here so far from civilization. I’ve only seen scenes this breathtaking in photographs. I never thought I’d get a chance to witness this glory in person,” Jessica replied.

He flicked his wrist halting his horse and waited for her to come up beside him. He watched as she exhaled which brought her deeper into the saddle. He forced to keep his face calm, not surprised when Cory stopped. Her next breath, an exaggerated inhale, stretched her filmy top over her breasts. As he watched them expand he wished it was his hands that cradled them not the cloth.

“I thought you’d appreciate this more instead of an impersonal helicopter ride.”

She cocked her head slightly to the side, letting her hair gather and fall over her shoulder. The action, planned on her part, exposed her neck and shoulder to him. Something she knew he wouldn’t miss and was confirmed when she heard him suck in a deep breath. “I definitely agree with you. There’s nothing like being close to nature,” she said as she swung her left leg over the horn and slipped to the ground.

With both reins in her hand she glanced over her shoulder to him and noticed he’d freed him right foot from the stirrup. “Oh, you don’t have to get down. I wanted to pick a few of these lovely flowers.” She started for a small patch of wildflower, the name she didn’t know but the red of the buds captivated her.

“I don’t mind,” Justin replied, the right corner of his mouth turned up, as he dismounted. “The flowers are called Indian Paintbrush, Wyoming’s state flower,” he said walking up to her.

The unmistakable sound of a rattlesnake froze them both as they walked up to the flower. At the same time they spotted that reptile, Justin reached for, a hidden in his waistband, a pistol. Jessica slipped a knife from her boot and without hesitation sent it forward, pinning the creature through the opened mouth to the ground.

Former Army Sergeant Sandi Charleston, diagnosed with PTSD and homeless barely survives day to day. By a miracle of fate she meets Taz, a uniquely special collie, who helps turn her life around.

Only through him does she find the courage to go head to head with her worst enemy-terrorist bent on mass destruction.

Bound by a special love to help and protect each other, side by side these two unlikely partners willingly march forward into battle. A fight to the death neither is sure can be won but fighting as one they will try to.

Kidnapped and forced to reveal what she knows Sandi realizes there is only one individual who can save her from certain death. It’s not the government but her new best buddy.

Together they defeat the enemy proving once again that battle buddies come in all shapes and breeds.

Rescued, Sandi finally realizes that there is a new and better life for her as long as Taz is part of it.